Equitable and Green EU Public Health: Perspectives from Dorota Sienkiewicz

Climate crisis continues to be one of the biggest challenge of the 21st century, with profound and growing negative consequences on public health. Inadequate responses expose new dimensions of social and environmental vulnerabilities, and limited access to scientific advice and education for health prevails, accelerating calls from global health community and citizens alike for bold actions to put prevention and adaptation front and central (eg,. in the outcomes of the Conference on the Future of Europe). While the public health and wider healthcare sector face the health risks and consequences of the climate, health and equity crises, they are also an important actor in coordinated evidence-based advocacy on the issue. The intervention will draw on the recommendations from EuroHealthNet's work to showcase how to embed a triple-win (climate, health and equity) mindset in the design and implementation of policies and practice. It will emphasise the need to work across sectors, and put forward the emerging models of Wellbeing Economies and 'within limits' solutions, in particular in the context of ongoing crises' recovery, preparedness and resilience building, with a strong focus on the implementation of social rights. Finally, it will make the link with opportunities for action at EU and international level, highlighting some key policy priorities that can help deliver such solutions.

Dorota Sienkiewicz is a public health advocate with almost 15 years of policy experience at European, national and global level with strong interest in health equity, poverty and social exclusion, early years and vulnerable groups, mental health, gender policies, as well as food systems. At EuroHealthNet she leads the Policy Platform, providing policy advice and intelligence to the Partnership, liaising with EU political frameworks, institutions and EU stakeholders. She is the EuroHealthnet’s main focal point for many of EU Health and Social Policy’s expert groups and strategic dialogues. She holds a MSc in International Public Health from the Free University of Amsterdam, a MSc in Social Psychology from the University of Amsterdam and a MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Casimirus the Great (Poland), and a certificate in Systems Thinking in Public Health from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (EuroHealthNet website; Twitter)